Becoming a Dental Assistant in Stockton, California

Dental assistants in Stockton enjoy easy access to all areas of Northern California. Stockton is located in the San Joaquin Valley and is surrounded by the waterways of the California Delta. From Stockton you can easily drive west toward the Bay Area or head north to the capitol, Sacramento. If you enjoy boating, hiking and snow sports, you may really enjoy living in Stockton. (Also nearby: Bakersfield, Fresno.)

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While the primary industry is agriculture, Stockton is also a hub for interstate commerce and telecommunications. Healthcare is also a growing field in Stockton, and nearly 10 percent of the population is employed in a health-related capacity.

Dental Assistant Schools in Stockton

Dental assistants in Stockton can acquire on-the-job training but still have to pass the state certification exam to become a registered dental assistant (RDA). It is recommended that you take a course at a college or technical school to increase your chances of passing the exams. A few educational options in the area include:

Carrington College. Located just north of downtown Stockton, Carrington offers one- and two-year programs for dental assisting. The campus is easy to reach by car and public transportation and is surrounded by shopping centers, malls and restaurants. Upon completion of the program, you will be ready to start as an entry-level dental assistant and will be prepared to sit for your state and national certification exams.
United Education Institute (UEI). Also located just north of downtown Stockton, UEI boasts a large campus with amenities such as a tutoring center, study and break rooms, a resource center and computer rooms. Their 10-month program will prepare you to start as an entry-level dental assistant. UEI also assists you with job placement upon completion of the program.
Jacobo Dental Institute (JDI). If you need to complete your dental assisting program while maintaining employment, then the 10-week program at the JDI might be the one for you. The classes meet on Saturdays, so you can work full-time during the week and study on the weekends. The campus is located in a busy area of northern Stockton and is easy to access.

See more options for dental assistant training in CA.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 970 dental assistants working in Stockton in 2017, and the field is expected to grow another 16.5 percent by 2026.

Dental assistants make an average of $17.87 per hour in Stockton and can expect to earn about $37,160 per year to start.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Stockton

While Stockton has fewer amenities than the nearby Bay Area, this lovely little city has many attractions. Housing and rental prices are lower and more readily-available, and your income stretches further in this Central Valley locale. As healthcare opportunities expand, the opportunities for the dental assistant in Stockton will also grow.